Authors:Isaac Acosta; Guilherme Borges; Rebeca Aguirre-Hernandez; Ana Luisa Sosa; Martin PrinceAbstract: Publication date: Available online 10 October 2017 Source:Alzheimer's & Dementia Author(s): Isaac Acosta, Guilherme Borges, Rebeca Aguirre-Hernandez, Ana Luisa Sosa, Martin Prince Introduction Cognitive and/or memory impairment are the main clinical markers currently used to identify subjects at risk of developing dementia. This study aimed to explore the relationship between the presence of neuropsychiatric symptoms and dementia incidence. Methods We analyzed the association between neuropsychiatric symptoms and incident dementia in a cohort of 1355 Mexican older adults from the general population over 3 years of follow-up, modeling cumulative incidence ratios using Poisson models. Results Five neuropsychiatric symptoms were associated with incident dementia: delusions, hallucinations, anxiety, aberrant motor behavior, and depression. The simultaneous presence of two symptoms had a relative risk, adjusted for mild cognitive impairment, diabetes, indicators of cognitive function, and sociodemographic factors, of 1.9 (95% confidence interval, 1.2–2.9), whereas the presence of three to five, similarly adjusted, had a relative risk of 3.0 (95% confidence interval, 1.9–4.8). Discussion Neuropsychiatric symptoms are common in predementia states and may independently contribute as risk factors for developing dementia.

Authors:Nicolas Farina; Thomas E. Page; Stephanie Daley; Anna Brown; Ann Bowling; Thurstine Basset; Gill Livingston; Martin Knapp; Joanna Murray; Sube BanerjeeAbstract: Publication date: Available online 5 February 2017 Source:Alzheimer's & Dementia Author(s): Nicolas Farina, Thomas E. Page, Stephanie Daley, Anna Brown, Ann Bowling, Thurstine Basset, Gill Livingston, Martin Knapp, Joanna Murray, Sube Banerjee Introduction Family carers of people with dementia are their most important support in practical, personal, and economic terms. Carers are vital to maintaining the quality of life (QOL) of people with dementia. This review aims to identify factors related to the QOL of family carers of people with dementia. Methods Searches on terms including “carers,” “dementia,” “family,” and “quality of life” in research databases. Findings were synthesized inductively, grouping factors associated with carer QOL into themes. Results A total of 909 abstracts were identified. Following screening, lateral searches, and quality appraisal, 41 studies (n = 5539) were included for synthesis. A total of 10 themes were identified: demographics; carer–patient relationship; dementia characteristics; demands of caring; carer health; carer emotional well-being; support received; carer independence; carer self-efficacy; and future. Discussion The quality and level of evidence supporting each theme varied. We need further research on what factors predict carer QOL in dementia and how to measure it.